The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-08-04
said Tad. viewing Miss Polly critically.

from his point OF observation, ''but she 8
got goodish kind of face"
No-Polly was not stylish-looking
Baldwin apple, and her small nose
not innocent of freckles. Then, too,
her mouth was rather large, though one
forgot its Size in the kiadliness of her
smile, which, moreover, showed a very
perfect set of small, even, white teeth.
Polly had pair of pleasant dark eyes
that, when she was bit excited, looked
almost black, and she was also the pos
SCISSOR of what the nOvelists call ga
wealth" of brOnze-tinted chestnut hair,
with natural crinkle in it, which no
amount of art could have initiated. But
Polly briefly summed up her own per-
sOnal appearance in one terse sentence
"red hair, freckles and a snub-nose;"
and no amount of reasoning could con-
vince her she was not undeniably plain,
or-as she unhesitatingly affirmed
lawful homely."
81 don't believe it's polite to stare at
ladies, even if they can't see you" sud-
denly thought Tad. And vaguely won
dering at his own newly-awakened
sense of propriety, Tad settled back in
his coy nook and, pulling out his three
papers, began running over the Lost"
columns, but his search was in vain.
Watches had been lost, diamonds
stolen, gold-headed canes taken by mis-
take and pet poodles lured from their
homes-for tho recovery of each and all
of which rewards were offered. with the
suggestive ''nO questions asked" as an
extra inducement for their return.
But there was no reference in any of
the papers to "a small alligator-s.1in
sachel, with nickel mOuntings, left by
mistake in the waiting-room of the
Broad Street depot" or words to that
effect; and Tad began to wonder what
he had best do next. He could not adj
vertise under the head of Found for
five cents was all the money Tad had
in the world; so, finally, he was forced
to the conclusion that all he could do
was-to use his own unspoken thought
Ito hang on spell longer"
1t was much harder to decide what
he should do with himself. The bag
had some one to look out for it, but
there was no one to look out for Tad.
And, for the first time in his short life,
Tad felt feeling of something like
hOmesickness creep over him.
A familiar voice on the wharf, close
to the pile of cotton bales, aroused Tad
very suddenly from his reverie.
'.lt's that Jonesm he excitedly eX-
claimed, though under his breath, as
be peered down at the speaker. 1t was
indeed that ingenious gentleman, as,
lifting his hat with winning politeness,
he had accosted Miss Polly, who was
evidently impressed at such display
of courtesy.
May ask, miss" said Jones, call
ing up his most agreeable smile,
whether you have seen shabby-look-
ing boy, carrying small alligator-Skin
sachel, anywhere in this vicinity with
in half an hour?'
why, yes-he was down here awhile
ago. but 1 guess he's gone uptown
again, replied Polly, wondering what
the stranger wanted of the boy who
called himself Tad Thorne.
Mr.. Jones looked sadly disappointed
at POlly's answer, while Tad, winking
at himself, chuckled silently What
Mr.. Jones might have said is uncer-
tain, for just then third party hove in
sight-to use nautical phrase-who,
Tad felt by sort of instinct, must be
Captain Jethro Flagg. He was ire
mendously stout man, with iron-gray
hair and a rim of white whiskers which
made a sort of halo about his fat,
weather-beaten face. The blue shirt,
ea-jacket, canvas troWsers, oil-skin
hat and heavy sea-boots which he wore
left no doubt us to the nature of his
calling.
''NOw, then, Ephr'm, SAID Captain
Flagg. in voice like trumpet with Il
bad cold, as, turning about. he ad-
dressed long-legged youth who
brought up the rear with heavy
basket, 'heave ahead lively with them
stores, my hearty, or you won't fetch
the schooner till dinner-time. Thus
Ephraim muttered some
thing inaudible, and, reaching the edge
of the wharf in breathless condition,
set the basket down with a bang,
while the Captain greeted Miss Polly
with jovial wink.
Haven't got to put back for nothing
this time, Polly" he triumphantly an
unmindful of the presence of
Mr.. Jones, whose distracted gaze was
seemingly directed at the little pennant
which tloated from the schooner's top
mast head. The stores is all in the
basket, the new jib is coming down this
afternoon, and I've got my freight |
money along of my clearance papers
all right in here" holding up fiat, !
japanned tin case as he spoke. For, be-
ing very absent-minded. though con-
stantly Eliminating in his great respOn-
sibility as master of the coasting
schooner MARY j." Captain Jethro
Flagg usually forgot some part of his
uptown errands, and las invariably
sent back therefor by practical Polly,
as sort of atonement for his sins of
omission.
Polly nodded approvingly at her
tather's assertion, while Tad, as an I'M
observed but interested on-looker, no
iced that, at the mention of freight